“Kuriya” means kitchen in Japanese. Indeed, Kuriya has brought authentic Japanese cuisines to pamper the taste buds of discerning food lovers in Singapore. Kuriya at Raffles City is a spacious dining space, which can house up to 140 people and has 4 cozy private rooms, which can accommodate up to 12 people. While you are there, be wowed by the comprehensive range of Japanese cuisines and culinary delights.

• The Vibe
  Prepare yourself for a seamless culinary voyage as you enter the ostentatious interiors of Kuriya. The minimalist design of the interior reflects the Japanese traditional design and architecture, exuding an air of elegance and sensuality. The dimly lit dining space and wooden interiors appeal to those with a penchant for coziness and intimacy. The swarm of food lovers fades gently into the background as the open concept of the kitchen allows the chef to take the limelight with his masterful culinary talent.

  Watch the fascinating performance as the chef knead the buckwheat flour into what looks like paper thinness and deftly cut them into Soba noodles. It is said that the sound of cutting Soba noodles produces a soothing rhythm that can ease one into a relaxed mood. It is no wonder that Kuriya has deliberately amplified the sound from the kitchen so that patrons seated in the lounge can hear the rhythm.

• The Food
  It is a pity that the main highlight is tucked away in the interior of the restaurant. Laid neatly on crushed ice is a wide selection of fishes that are carefully selected and air-shipped fresh from Japan every Tuesdays and Fridays. An unconventional twist, you can do it Hanbun-Hanbun style, which means half-half in direct translation. You may select a fish of your choice and have it prepared in different ways. You may have half of your fish as sashimi and the other grilled. The chefs will then do their magic and titillate the unsuspecting palate with innovative yet delectable Japanese food.

  It is characteristic of the Japanese to emphasize on the presentation of food, and at Kuriya, such meticulous and thoughtful efforts is demonstrated. If you order sashimi , be pleasantly surprised to see it being served in a glistening bowl carved out of ice. Such exquisite and delicate presentation of food makes the entire gastronomic experience extremely satisfying.

  It is not easy to master the knack of tempura frying but the Tempura Mori ($14.80) surpassed all expectations. The prawns, yam and mushrooms were fried to a wispy, light crisp – so soft it melted almost instantaneously in our mouths. Another recommended specialty is the Jikasei Gindara Misozuke ($19.80). The cod fish is marinated with homemade miso paste for about three days before being grilled to perfection. The firm cod fish is succulent and has a sweet tangy taste, which will definitely please your palate.

  The handmade Soba is Kuriya's pride. In Japan, they call it Hiki-tate, Uchi-tate, Yude-tate , which means that the Soba is freshly-milled, freshly-made and freshly-cooked. The Soba is known to be a healthy alternative because of its high amounts of proteins and vitamins. In addition, the Soba is painstakingly kneaded by the chef to the right texture, the way Japanese would have it.

  Desserts-wise, the Kushiyaki Aisu ($9.80) is highly recommended. A scoop of vanilla ice-cream is grilled such that a thin brown layer forms on the outside. Mildly sweet inside, there is also a tinge of charred taste. Alternatively, you could also try the Soba Crepe ($8.30) – Crepes containing fruits and custard cream which is a refreshing dessert.

• The Service
  The service staff are pleased to explain to you the various types of fresh fishes available, even though the fishes are already neatly tagged with name of the fish and recommended cooking methods. The service staff provides unblemished service for patrons to enjoy the optimum dining pleasure.

The SD Food Advisor's take on Kuriya

Kuriya's greatest disadvantage is its location as it is blocked by other restaurants and lack sufficient signage to direct patrons. However, if you are game for a gratifying Japanese experience, take the escalator to the basement from Swissotel and you will find Kuriya effortlessly.

Kuriya is a world apart from the other Japanese chain restaurants. If you are looking to splurge on quality authentic Japanese cuisines, then this place is definitely it. An interesting find is the Happy Hour feature from 5.30pm-7.00pm daily, when one can enjoy a variety of Sake cocktails and all-you-can-eat Japanese finger food at a low price of $8.88. The Happy Hour will not burn a hole in your pocket, yet you may get a glimpse of what Kuriya has to offer.